UniTeam

UniTeam was an electoral alliance in the Philippines formed to support the candidacies of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte in the 2022 presidential and vice-presidential elections and their allies in the 2022 Philippine general election.^[5][6][7][8] The alliance was formalized on November 29, 2021, with Senator Imee Marcos coining the name UniTeam.^[9]

UniTeam
Leader	Bongbong Marcos Sara Duterte
Founder	Bongbong Marcos Sara Duterte
Founded	November 29, 2021 (2021-11-29)
Dissolved	2022
Preceded by	Coalition for Change
Succeeded by	Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas
Ideology	Federalism[1] Filipino nationalism[2] Populism[3]
Political position	Big tent[4]
Coalition members	PFP Lakas–CMD HNP PMP Guest Parties: Nacionalista PDP–Laban (Cusi-Wing) KBL PRP
Colors	Red and green
Slogan	Sama-sama tayong babangon muli transl. Together, we shall rise again
Website
bbmsarauniteam.com
Politics of the Philippines Political parties Elections

UniTeam as an electoral alliance was dissolved shortly after the elections, having served its purpose. However the term "UniTeam" continued to be used to refer to the relationship between now president Bongbong Marcos and his deputy, vice president Sara Duterte which collapsed by 2024.

Coalition members

The alliance consists of four political parties:^[5]

Party		Abbreviation	Ideology	Chairperson	President
	Hugpong ng Pagbabago[10] Alliance for Change	HNP	Regionalism	Sara Duterte	Sara Duterte
	Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats[11] People Power–Christian Muslim Democrats	Lakas–CMD	Christian democracy Islamic democracy Conservatism Filipino nationalism Federalism[12][13] Parliamentarianism	Bong Revilla Jr.	Martin Romualdez
	Partido Federal ng Pilipinas[14] Federal Party of the Philippines	PFP	Federalism	Bongbong Marcos	Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.
	Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino[15] Force of the Filipino Masses	PMP	Populism[16]	Joseph Estrada

In addition, the alliance's senatorial slate features guest candidates from the Nacionalista Party, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), PDP–Laban, and People's Reform Party (PRP). Except for the NPC, all of the aforementioned parties are allied with Marcos and Duterte.^[17]

Presidential bid

Main article: Bongbong Marcos 2022 presidential campaign

Senatorial slate

UniTeam Slate during an election campaign in Mandaluyong on February 13, 2022

Marcos and Duterte have endorsed the following candidates for the 2022 Philippine Senate election, thus who are part of their "senatorial slate":^[18][19][20]

Candidate name and party		Position	Votes	Ranking	Elected
	Herbert Bautista NPC	Former mayor of Quezon City (2010–2019)	13,104,710	14th	No
	Jinggoy Estrada PMP	Former senator (2004–2016)	15,108,625	12th	Yes
	Larry Gadon KBL	Lawyer	9,691,607	20th	No
	Win Gatchalian NPC	Incumbent senator	20,602,655	4th	Yes
	Gregorio Honasan Independent[lower-alpha 1]	Former Secretary of Information and Communications Technology (2019–2021)	10,643,491	18th	No
	Loren Legarda NPC[lower-alpha 1]	Member of the House of Representatives from Antique's at-large congressional district	24,264,969	2nd	Yes
	Rodante Marcoleta PDP–Laban (withdrew[21])	Member of the House of Representatives from 1–SAGIP Party List	3,591,899 (stray votes[21])	—[lower-alpha 2]	No
	Robin Padilla PDP–Laban	Actor	26,612,434	1st	Yes
	Harry Roque PRP	Former presidential spokesperson (2017–2018, 2020–2021)	11,246,206	17th	No
	Gilbert Teodoro PRP	Former Secretary of National Defense (2007–2009)	12,788,479	15th	No
	Mark Villar Nacionalista	Former Secretary of Public Works and Highways (2016–2021)	19,475,592	6th	Yes
	Migz Zubiri Independent	Incumbent senator	18,734,336	8th	Yes

1. Guest candidate
2. Rodante Marcoleta withdrew after the ballots have been printed.

Result by island group

Luzon

Candidate	Party	Votes	%	Rank	Top 12
Loren Legarda	NPC	14,409,131	46.60%	1	Yes
Robin Padilla	PDP-Laban	14,182,785	45.87%	2	Yes
Win Gatchalian	NPC	12,419,076	40.17%	5	Yes
Mark Villar	Nacionalista	10,937,117	35.37%	7	Yes
Migz Zubiri	Independent	9,751,779	31.54%	10	Yes
Jinggoy Estrada	PMP	8,515,488	27.54%	12	Yes
Herbert Bautista	NPC	7,947,384	25.70%	14	No
Gilbert Teodoro	PRP	6,737,566	21.79%	17	No
Gregorio Honasan	Independent	6,452,633	20.87%	18	No
Larry Gadon	KBL	6,067,028	19.62%	19	No
Harry Roque	PRP	5,852,430	18.93%	21	No
Turnout		30,917,665	100.00%

Visayas

Candidate	Party	Votes	%	Rank	Top 12
Loren Legarda	NPC	4,639,491	40.20%	2	Yes
Robin Padilla	PDP-Laban	4,608,102	39.92%	3	Yes
Migz Zubiri	Independent	3,805,233	32.97%	5	Yes
Win Gatchalian	NPC	3,781,484	32.76%	6	Yes
Mark Villar	Nacionalista	3,688,636	31.96%	7	Yes
Gilbert Teodoro	PRP	2,594,726	22.48%	12	Yes
Jinggoy Estrada	PMP	2,587,706	22.42%	13	No
Herbert Bautista	NPC	2,244,043	19.44%	15	No
Harry Roque	PRP	2,044,282	17.71%	16	No
Gregorio Honasan	Independent	1,821,562	15.78%	18	No
Larry Gadon	KBL	1,441,629	12.49%	22	No
Turnout		11,542,445	100.00%

Mindanao

Candidate	Party	Votes	%	Rank	Top 12
Robin Padilla	PDP-Laban	7,753,052	60.12%	1	Yes
Migz Zubiri	Independent	5,059,712	39.23%	2	Yes
Loren Legarda	NPC	4,889,046	37.91%	3	Yes
Mark Villar	Nacionalista	4,542,226	35.22%	4	Yes
Win Gatchalian	NPC	4,222,455	32.74%	7	Yes
Jinggoy Estrada	PMP	3,853,669	29.88%	8	Yes
Gilbert Teodoro	PRP	3,174,451	24.61%	11	Yes
Harry Roque	PRP	3,044,968	23.61%	13	No
Herbert Bautista	NPC	2,712,235	21.03%	15	No
Gregorio Honasan	Independent	2,160,484	16.75%	16	No
Larry Gadon	KBL	1,859,320	14.42%	19	No
Turnout		12,896,983	100.00%

Aftermath

It was clarified that the UniTeam was only made for the purpose of the 2022 election,^[22] and no formal meeting has been held among its members as an alliance since then.^[23]

UniTeam's Lakas-CMD formed the majority of the House of Representative's 19th Congress. This is the first time a vice president's party leads the lower house, although Marcos' Partido Federal ng Pilipinas is part of the coalition.^[24] Out of the twelve upcoming members of the 24-seat Senate, only Risa Hontiveros is part of the opposition.^[25]

Vice President Sara Duterte was appointed as Marcos' first Secretary of Education after they both took office in mid-2022.^[26] Although she preferred to be Secretary of Defense^[27] Over the next two years, Duterte's relationship with Marcos' allies detoriate particularly with House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Marcos' wife and first lady Liza Araneta.^[26] She resigned in May 2023, from Lakas–CMD where she served as chairperson. Lakas is part of the ruling coalition.^[28][29]

In January 2024, President Marcos insist that "UniTeam" is still "vibrant", referring to his working relationship with his deputy.^[30]

Duterte tendered resignation from her position as education secretary in June 2024.^[31] When asked about her friendship with Marcos in September 2024, she said they were never friends and merely running mates in the 2022 elections.^[32] Marcos responded expressing he was "deceived" about their supposed friendship.^[33]In October 2024, she detailed her fallout with Marcos, who she says "does not know how to be president".^[34][35]

See also

• Team Robredo–Pangilinan, the main rival of UniTeam in the 2022 elections
• TEAM Unity

References

1. Mercado, Neil Arwin (January 25, 2022). "Federal gov't system fits PH but Cha-cha 'difficult' – Marcos Jr". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
2. "'Youth crucial in Bongbong-Sara UniTeam's push for national unity'". BusinessMirror. December 7, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
3. "Duterte vs Marcos' brand of populism: How do they differ?". CNN. June 30, 2022. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022.
4. "Marcos, Duterte highlight 'unity' as election campaign kicks off". CNN Philippines. February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
5. "Four political parties forge UniTeam alliance pact for Bongbong-Sara tandem". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
6. "Marcos-Duterte 'Uniteam' seals 2022 alliance". Rappler. November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
7. Yang, Angelica; Mendoza, John Eric (November 25, 2021). "4 parties form 'UniTeam' alliance for Bongbong Marcos – Sara Duterte tandem". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
8. Palicte, Che (November 25, 2021). "4 parties link up for BBM-Sara's 'UniTeam'". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
9. Cruz, RG (June 9, 2023). "Imee confirms she convinced Sara to run as Marcos Jr's VP". ABS-CBN News. Manila: ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
10. "Hugpong vows to 'do more' for Marcos in Davao, as some incumbents pick Robredo". RAPPLER. March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
11. Tolentino, Ma Reina Leanne (November 25, 2021). "Lakas adopts BBM as presidential bet". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
12. "Romualdez reaffirms support for Duterte's federalism agenda". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 5, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
13. Manalastas, Jester P. (June 5, 2019). "Federalism push renewed". Retrieved January 16, 2020.
14. "BBM's Partido Federal ng Pilipinas adopts Sara as vice presidential bet". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
15. "Four political parties forge UniTeam alliance pact for Bongbong-Sara tandem". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
16. Dayley, Robert (2016). Southeast Asia In The New International Era. ISBN 9780813350110. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
17. Punay, Edu. "Parties allied with BBM-Sara Duterte call for honest elections". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
18. "Gadon, Marcoleta, Zubiri added to Marcos-Duterte senatorial slate". CNN Philippines. January 20, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
19. "Marcos-Duterte tandem adopts Gringo Honasan in Senate slate". ABS-CBN News. February 4, 2022. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
20. Valente, Catherine S. (March 13, 2022). "Robin Padilla now a guest candidate of UniTeam – Sara". The Manila Times. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
21. Cruz, RG; Abarro, Mico (April 27, 2024). "UniTeam senate bet Marcoleta withdraws from #Halalan2022: Comelec". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
22. Suelto, Diana Lhyd (June 12, 2024). "Sara: UniTeam good only for 2022 Polls". Philstar. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
23. Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (June 20, 2024). "Gatchalian: Uniteam hasn't met since 2022 polls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
24. "Duterte, Romualdez-led Lakas-CMD to dominate House under Marcos". Rappler. June 20, 2024. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
25. Villaruel, Jauhn Etienne (May 18, 2022). "Halalan 2022: Comelec officially proclaims 12 newly elected senators". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
26. Panti, Llanesca (June 19, 2024). "Uniteam no more: Timeline of Marcos-Duterte tandem's woes". GMA News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
27. "Sara ditches preferred defense post to avoid stability 'intrigues'". BusinessWorld. May 12, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
28. Galvez, Daphne (May 19, 2023). "Sara Duterte resigns from Lakas-CMD". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
29. Leon, Dwight de (May 19, 2023). "Uniteam no more? House squabble puts spotlight on 2025, 2028 elections". Rappler. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
30. "Marcos: UniTeam still vibrant, still working". GMA News. January 30, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
31. Tulad, Victoria (June 20, 2024). "'Nabasag 'yung UniTeam': Duterte resignation saddens lawmaker" ['UniTeam shaterred': Duterte resignation saddens lawmaker]. ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). Retrieved October 20, 2024.
32. Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (September 18, 2024). "VP Duterte on President Marcos: We're not talking, we're not friends". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
33. Subingsubing, Krixia (October 12, 2024). "'I was deceived,' Marcos says of VP Sara's 'friendship'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
34. Servallos, Neil Jayson (October 19, 2024). "President Marcos doesn't know how to be president — VP Sara". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
35. Chi, Cristina (October 18, 2024). "'Drag me to hell': Sara Duterte gets personal in fiery tell-all vs Marcos". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 20, 2024.